LaCena by Nola - Calpe — Restaurant in Calp

It was a nightmare of a visit today...We have eaten here before, been happy with the food......today...horrendous!! We decided on the set menu, 21.95 euros.... I chose salad, followed by a steak with fries and salad. Salad.....lots of greens, rocket and other salad stuff. 4 pieces of tomato, I cucumber piece and a ball of mozzarella. It was completely tasteless, totally bland even with balsamic vinegar etc...I left 50% of it, my wife too... Next....steak with fries, vegetables..... The 300gm steak was anaemic, pale and leaking blood even though I'd asked for it medium/well done. It was obviously undercooked and not rested. I sent it back....it returned 15 minutes later......exactly the same.....bloody and really not appetising to even look at. I refused to accept it and told the poor waitress I would not be eating anything. To her credit, she apologised and got in touch with her manager. We only paid for my wife's meal. She enjoyed her food, including her sweet. We were given a credit to hopefully enjoy a meal in the future... I am not one to complain normally, I love to give praise and credit people for their efforts.....however on this occasion, they failed miserably. I hope La Cena take this as constructive criticism....it's unbelievable that a chef cannot get a salad and steak and fries correct and appetising for customers. I am a pretty good cook, sure I could produce better food if they want to employ me ha ha!! Sorry I didn't have fotos, I didn't think at the time..

Since this was posted, the owner has been in touch. She was mortified and understandably shocked. She has apologised profusely and advised me staff have been informed and that this must never happen again. The owner has booked us a table for tomorrow with a promise that La Cena will be on top form and we will leave happy and content. I'll let you know...

Just got back from La Cena. Service was good, the food still not what I expected. My steak, a filet ( Solomio) looked and tasted lovely but was definitely not medium/ well. It was well rested. Vegetables were interesting. Cauliflower, beetroot, asparagus, long stem broccoli and some mashed something. They were cold. Pepper sauce, cool and served in a tiny pot.... I didn't have the heart to complain and ate the meat and fries, left the Vegetables. My sweet, a Strawberry cheesecake arrived. I took one mouthful.....it was like rubber. The waitress saw I had not eaten it and without a prompt, she said " gelatina " with a look of apology...she took it away. I was offered a replacement sweet but I decided not to accept. It may look as if I am a grumpy old man, which I am definitely not. In my many reviews I have praised and thanked people for their food and service and find it hard to write a review like this. I will not be returning to La Cena.....it just wasn't good enough......even after a 2nd chance... Just to add....My wife's fish n chips were really good, she ate every scrap....cheesecake was a no !!! Sent back...

My recent dining experience at LaCena by Nola in Calpe was a mix of highs and lows. While there were some positive aspects, several key areas fell short, particularly in terms of flavor and authenticity.

Positives: Fries: The fries were excellent—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and not greasy. Definitely the highlight of the meal. Service and Decor: The restaurant had a pleasant ambiance with aesthetically pleasing decor. The service was acceptable, though not particularly noteworthy. Complimentary Limoncello: A nice touch at the end of the meal, though it was quite sweet.

Negatives: Pan con Alioli: The bread was small, precooked, and simply warmed up, lacking freshness. The alioli was sweet and too liquidy, deviating from the traditional thick and savory profile. Crab Croquettes with Tartar Sauce: The croquettes had a crunchy exterior but were mostly filled with surimi instead of real crab, compromising on flavor. The tartar sauce lacked the distinctive tangy and creamy characteristics expected. Tempura Shrimp Salad: The tempura was heavy and lacked crispiness. The salad had insufficient greens and was dominated by a water drop-shaped fruit that tasted like sweet and bitter capers. The dressing was overly sweet. Fuego y Llamas Burger: The patty was thick but tasteless, despite the expectation that high-quality ground beef should have a rich, beefy flavor. The heat level was minimal, with only occasional jalapeño slices providing slight heat. The mayonnaise served with both the burger and fries was sweet, which did not complement the savory elements well.

Cultural Considerations: The sweetness in various dishes and condiments suggests an attempt to cater to German and Dutch tourists who might prefer sweeter flavors. This may not align with the expectations of diners who prefer hearty, savory meals.

Conclusion: While LaCena by Nola offers a pleasant dining environment and some standout items like the fries, there are significant areas for improvement in food quality and flavor balance. The inclination towards sweeter flavors may cater to a specific demographic, but addressing these issues could broaden the restaurant’s appeal and provide a more authentic...

La Cena by Nola in Calp, Spain

La Cena by Nola in Calp offers a well-organized concept, with a menu that is broad and inclusive, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. The variety of choices is more than adequate, and the overall atmosphere is inviting. However, while the quality of the ingredients seems good, I had some concerns about the food preparation.

I ordered the fish and chips, which unfortunately were quite greasy. As a starter we had home made croquettes, very tasty but also quite greasy. I suspect the fryer wasn’t at the right temperature, as both the fish and fries and croquettes were overly oily. This affected the enjoyment of what could have been a delicious dish.

The service was very friendly, but the timing between the kitchen and the service staff needs improvement. We were served tasty bread rolls before the meal, but just as we started cutting into them, the main courses were brought to the table, followed shortly by the starters—an unusual sequence that could use more attention. This misstep in timing was a bit odd and left us juggling plates in a way that detracted from the dining experience.

Additionally, one small issue was that during the meal, no one checked in to ask if everything was to our satisfaction, which is something I’ve come to expect in a restaurant. A quick check-in after the dishes are served would have been appreciated, especially given the issues with the timing.

On a positive note, the coffee and the complimentary after-dinner drink were handled very well and ended the meal on a high note. If I visit again, I plan to mention my concerns to the manager in advance, as these are easily fixable issues that could make the experience much smoother.

Overall, La Cena by Nola has a lot of potential with its well-curated menu and friendly staff, but more attention to food preparation and service timing would greatly enhance the...